An anonymous donor has given £1,000 to a Bermondsey day centre’s minibus fundraiser – but they still need over £12,000 to reach their target.
Before Christmas, the News reported that the Cherry Garden Day Centre for disabled adults needs to raise £14,000 for a minibus or face closure.
“We only get paid if our clients arrive on their scheduled days…. but most of them aren’t independent enough to come on their own,” explained centre manager Gemma Cooper.
Driving hope for Christmas: Bermondsey day centre needs a minibus or faces closure
Following the article, an anonymous altruist donated the whopping sum – and another has parted with £500 plus a few donations making their fundraising efforts £1,735.
Gemma said: “We need it to stay afloat but we also want to take them for days out to the zoo. One of our clients always comes in with pictures of animals and we’d love to take him to a zoo, or even a farm, to see real animals!”
Formerly known as Riverside, the day centre narrowly survived after the charity The Camden Society, run by Thera Trust, announced it was closing the building last year.
The charity said it would instead offer “support in the community” and close the building described as a “lifeline” by parents and carers.
So Gemma, whose brother Lee uses the centre, persuaded Southwark Council to give her the keys, and re-opened its doors in December.
Adults with conditions including autism and downs-syndrome are taught independence skills in a safe, loving environment.
Speaking about one client, Gemma said: “When he first came in he was swearing at everyone and didn’t want to do anything. The only time he spoke was when he was swearing.
“Now he knows swearing isn’t acceptable and loves coming in. His mum said he would never go to bed but now he’s asleep by half-past eight because he wants to be ready to come in here!”
Southwark Playhouse has a brand new purpose-built theatre and it opens with a Bermondsey Revolution
Southwark Council has also agreed to repair the broken lift which was preventing clients from accessing activities on the top floor.
Gemma said the centre is thinking about putting on fundraising events to keep the centre open.
Donate to the Cherry Gardens Day Centre here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/adults-with-disabilities-access